Universal Yoga and the Florida Vedic Institute was founded by Vedavisharada Yogi Baba Prem Tom Beal CYI, C.ay, C.va. He graduated from the United Yoga Institute with a diploma in Karma, Bhakti, Hatha, Raja and Kundalini yoga systems. He was accepted by Maha Avatar Babaji as his student, after being declared a master of Shakti and Naad Yoga systems by Gurudeep. His Vedic teacher (Vedacharya) is Pandit Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley).

He is becoming recognized as one of the leading spokesmen for Hindu Dharma born in the west.  His papers have offered insight and tackled some of the more difficult issues facing Hinduism and students of spirituality.  Currently he is working on papers that address areas of confusion amongst western students of eastern spirituality.  He is also writing extensively on the Vedas and their relevance within each person's life and spiritual practice.  His papers have been featured in the newsletter of the American Institute of Vedic Studies. 

He has given hundreds of lectures and taught thousands of people over the years.  He teaches one of  the most authentic and spiritually compelling forms of yoga and spirituality available anywhere outside of India. Providing a practical western approach to a vast and complicated system of eastern spirituality.  This approach allows Baba Prem to teach beginner students and advanced students by understanding their unique needs and perspectives toward spiritual growth. 

Yogi Baba Prem has studied Sanskrit (the language that many of the ancient texts of yoga and Ayurveda are written in).  In 2006, he was awarded the traditional title of Vedavisharada, which means comprehensive knowledge of the Vedas.  He has completed over 3400 hours of study through the American Institute of Vedic Studies.  He was previously awarded the title of Vedakovid meaning proficient in Vedic Studies. His Vedic studies has included areas such as Tantra, Vedic history, Vedic texts, Ayurveda, Vedic astrology, select Brahmanas, Aranykas, Upanishads, select Puranas, and related fields. He is one of the few but growing number of westerners to receive this title through the traditional systems of India. He is also knowledgeable in some forms of Puja, Homas, and Yajnas. 

He has studied Ayurveda through programs offered by and Dr. David Frawley, and Dr. Vasant Lad. He has received certificates from the American Institute of Vedic Studies crediting him with over 600 hours of Ayurvedic study and served as a Diplomat with the American Ayurvedic Association. He was also awarded the title of “Ayurvedic Practitioner”. Yogi Baba Prem has been invited to lecture at such institutions as Rollins College and Seminole Community College. He has been invited to India as well.  He has received a Hindu string initiation through our local Hindu Mandir.

He is qualified in Vedic counseling, as a Vedic educator, Vedic yoga, and to teach Vedic philosophy. He is recognized as teaching mantras, and yoga practices in an authentic Vedic manner. He is also available to provide insight into the relationships between classical Vedic teachings and Ayurveda (Indian health science), Yoga, and Vedic astrology.

His study has been primarily through the traditional gurukula system, which emphasizes direct contact and guided instruction with the teacher.  Such a traditional study of Vedic knowledge is at a practitioner level and provides a level of instruction much deeper than mere academic studies of the subject.

• Some Yogi's and Guru's from India have described him as a "man of god".

 

• Sri Shivabalayogi said "it is rare to meet a westerner that has knowledge such as Yogi Harinam Baba Prem does pertaining to these teachings."

 

He has been published in India through Sundeep books and his articles have been featured twice in "Nitya Kalyan" magazine.  These articles appeared in late 2005 and early 2006. 

He is a writer and lecturer with the Vedic Friends Organization, a national organization for the preservation and education of Vedic teachings, and appears regularly in the VFA Journal. In 2002, he was published in Vedic Astrology magazine. In 2003, he had published 17 articles around the world. He has written numerous books and CD’s. He currently serves as an editor for AIVS newsletter.

In 2004, he chaired a committee on the preservation of Dharma at the VFA conference with Swami Dayananda. 

He is director of Universal Yoga. Programs or sessions are offered in:

                Shakti Healing              Vedanta                  Jnana Yoga
                Vedic Astrology            Kundalini Yoga      Chanting
                Sanskrit                         Vedic yoga             Vedic Philosophy
                Ayurveda                       Vedic Studies         Meditation

In-depth and specialized programs are offered throughout the year. Private sessions are also available with Yogi Baba Prem. If you live here or are planning on visiting Orlando, we hope you will include a stop at Universal Yoga Ashram and Educational Center as part of your plans. For more information on private sessions, e-mail us.

 

Formal Educational History and awards:

• American Institute of Vedic Studies-- Title of Veda Visharada credited with 3400 hours of study.
• American Institute of Vedic Studies-- Title of Vedakovid credited with 2200 hours of study.
• American Institute of Vedic Studies-- Certificate in Vedic Astrology with 200 hours of study.
• American Institute of Vedic Studies-- Certification in Ayurveda with 600 hours of study.
• Awarded Diplomat status with the American Ayurvedic Association.
• American Institute of Vedic Studies-- Certificate in Ayurveda with 250 hours of study.
• The Ayurvedic Institute-- Certificate in Ayurveda.
• Awarded the title of Master of Shakti Yoga.
• Awarded the title of Master of  Naad Yoga.
• Award for completion for Shakti Healing in the traditional Gurukural style. 
• United Yoga Institute-- Diploma in Hatha, Karma, Bhakti, Raja, and Kundalini Yoga systems.
• United Yoga Institute-- awarded title of CYI.